I WOULD like to record my gratitude for the excellent and prompt care I received at the A&E department of Hereford County Hospital.

After all the negative reports, I fully expected a long wait, but was seen within two minutes by a doctor, who confirmed my fear of a ruptured achilles tendon and personally helped me through the department.

At the plaster room I waited 20 seconds and then 30 seconds at physio. My prescription for painkillers was fetched from the pharmacy for me and a helpful volunteer assisted in calling me a taxi. The next day I attended the fracture clinic and saw the orthopaedic surgeon within five minutes of my appointment time.

The only possible improvement could have been if one of the hospital staff had turned up at walking football on the Monday evening and advised me not to play that week!

STEVE BESCOBY Credenhill